Sierra Magazine Drexel a Top 100 Cool School

August 25, 2010

Sierra Magazine, published by environmental organization Sierra Club, recently named Drexel University 84th on its 2010 list of “Cool Schools.” The “Cool Schools” survey was Sierra’s way of determining the greenest college campuses in the United States.

Highlights from Drexel’s current sustainability efforts include:

- 30 percent of Drexel’s electricity is generated by wind power
- 90 percent of the University’s light fixtures are energy-efficient
- 78 percent of paper used on campus is at least 30 percent postconsumer recycled content
- Drexel’s shuttle busses provide transportation to students across three campuses, use biodiesel fuel with a 20 percent soy blend and transported 343,634 passengers in 2009.
- 30 percent of campus waste is diverted from landfills
- More than 1,802,087 pounds of CO2 is avoided annually through reductions in electric consumption utilizing building automation systems and upgrades to building equipment
- Reduced flow fixtures in all residence halls and restroom facilities across campus reduced water consumption by more than 47 percent

Drexel is committed to integrating sustainability with academics as 40 percent of academic departments offer environmental- and sustainability-related classes. The University also offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctorial degrees in environmental engineering, environmental sciences. There is a master of public health offered in environmental health, master’s and doctorial degrees in environmental policy and a bachelor’s degree in Urban Environmental Studies.

The Constantine Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building, under construction at 33rd and Chestnut Streets, will be the University’s first LEED certified building when it opens in 2011. All new construction projects on campus are certified using Green Globes, an environmental design and management tool.

Sierra Magazine ranked 162 schools campuses on 10 criteria including purchasing, academics, food and administration. The rankings were based on survey responses completed by each institution and reviewed and examined by impartial evaluators. Other schools ranked in the Philadelphia region include the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University.

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For more information, contact Craig Eisenberger at cae24@drexel.edu or 215-895-2705

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